These are real statements I’ve heard from brides and grooms who are trying to plan their own wedding and I find it heart-breaking that anyone should feel that way (though I do like the sound and idea of a romantic elopement!).

Planning a wedding should be something that brings happiness; where you can enjoy the process as much as the end result.

The whole planning process should be filled with fun, happiness, inspiration, creativity and discovery. But I know it’s sometimes so hard to overcome the ‘overwhelm.’

Feeling overwhelmed can happen to any of us; it’s an emotion that can very easily take a grasp of us and invite its friends, anxiety, misery and even sometimes depression to the party. So, remember you’re the host of both parties… the one in your head with all your emotions and your wedding. Did you watch that movie ‘Inside Out?’ You need to choose to override ‘overwhelm.’

My advice is to take it step by step. First of all, make a point to be strong in your stance that the wedding is about you and your partner, no-one else; it should be a privilege for anyone else to be involved, not a done deal that parents, Grandparents, family of friends take control, irrespective of who is footing the bill. This is about you as a couple and you only; end of.

Decide things together as a couple; close your eyes and imagine your day, how it feels, sounds, tastes and looks and keep this visualisation strong when you’re planning. Visualise yourself at your wedding looking and feeling happy and when wedding planning starts to overwhelm take a moment to bring this visualisation to the forefront of your memory. This is a great technique for not only coping with overwhelm but deciding on elements of your special day. Don’t just rely on Pinterest and magazines, use the power of visualisation to bring your own wedding to life.

If you can bring the visualisation along with its friends creativity, excitement and happiness to the party in your head, you are going to start to love the wedding planning process.

I’ll be focussing more on controlling anxiety, nerves and overwhelm over a series of blogs and articles dedicated to the Calm Bride and in my group #theweddingfixer at www.facebook.com/groups/theweddingfixer so why not join me and share your experiences.